Bugs eating my plants? - Ask Extension
Hello! I recently planted some plants in my grandfather’s garden. They seemed to be doing fine and then suddenly overnight they got a bunch of holes...
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Bugs eating my plants? #868801
Asked May 16, 2024, 7:56 PM EDT
Hello! I recently planted some plants in my grandfather’s garden. They seemed to be doing fine and then suddenly overnight they got a bunch of holes in them. What could be eating them? There are all different kinds that have chews… snapdragons, echinacea, celosia, woodland sunflowers, etc. It rained quite a bit last week. When we were planting, we saw a lot of brown-cased, fairly hard-shelled larvae throughout the soil. The location is on a hill with part shade, part sun. The soil is kind of Clay-ey with maybe some shale or at least skinny rocks (maybe construction fill?). We haven’t seen any bugs directly yet. And this doesn’t appear to be an issue in other parts of his yard/other flower beds. Thank you!!!
Allegany County Maryland
Expert Response
That looks like damage from snails or slugs. It wouldn't be surprising given that they are out and nibbling either at night or when it is wet and overcast so that their bodies don't dry out.
Here is our page on them:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/slugs-and-snails-flowers/
Christine
Here is our page on them:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/slugs-and-snails-flowers/
Christine
You're welcome.
Enjoy your weekend.
Enjoy your weekend.